MIS 491 Master Syllabus

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MIS 491: Seminar in Management Information Systems Master Syllabus


Course Instructor:
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Textbook and Course Site

  • This course uses open educational resources (OERs). There is no book to purchase. 
  • Canvas:
    • All assignments are posted on Canvas and must be submitted via Canvas by the deadlines in order to receive credits. Assignments sent via email will not receive credits. Assignments submitted after the deadlines will not receive credits. 
    • All course materials are posted on Canvas. 
    • You are required to check the Canvas course site and email on a daily basis.

Course Description

Seminar in MIS: Analyzes selected topics that highlight latest developments in information resource management field, including contemporary research findings and case studies of information systems in business and other organizations. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 6 credits. 


Cloud Computing

Surveys the cloud technology, introduces the characteristics and service models of cloud computing, and examines the impact and value of cloud computing. Explores the adoption, applications, benefits, deployment, economics, models, risks, services, strategy, and values of the cloud computing from the business and managerial perspective. Students will gain the knowledge of the cloud computing principles and concepts needed to evaluate, adopt, deploy, and manage cloud environments.  


Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to 

  • Describe the impact and value of cloud computing on information systems management 
  • Explain cloud service models and their applications 
  • Defines the steps to adopt cloud computing 
  • Articulate the business and management cost of cloud adoption 
  • Evaluate and select a cloud service/platform to support the business operations and needs 
  • Handle billing, account management, and price models for selected cloud applications 
  • Sit for the entry-level, professional cloud certification exam, such as CompTIA Cloud Essentials 

MIS (Management Information Systems) Learning Goals

  • Apply knowledge of information technology, operations, and business functions to assess, design and improve business processes. 
  • Effectively manage projects, including information technology projects. 
  • Understand the overall systems development life cycle and be able to recommend IT solutions. 

BS Business Learning Goals

  • The social, global, ethical, and legal contexts of business and will be able to reflect on the role of the individual in business. 
  • The ability to apply knowledge of professional skills necessary for success in business including effective business writing. 
  • Technical and analytic skills appropriate for success in business. 
  • The ability to apply knowledge of core business disciplines including accounting, finance, information systems, management, marketing, and operations management. 
  • How research in the business disciplines contributes to knowledge and how such research is conducted.

Course Format

This course consists of a combination of lectures, discussions, and hands-on practice sessions. Please see the topical outline for a tentative list of topics. There will be individual assignments, quizzes, and exams. 


Grading Policy

Assignment Value
Homework (4) 20%
Quizzes (2) 20%
Exam (2) 40%
Project (1) 20%
Total 100%
Semester Grade Scale
A+ 97% to 100%
A 93% to 96.99%
A- 90% to 92.99%
B+ 87% to 89.99%
B 83% to 86.99%
B- 80% to 82.99%
C+ 77% to 79.99%
C 73 to 76.99 points
D 60% to 69.99%
F Below 60.00%

Reading Assignments

Students are required to read the course materials before coming to class meetings.  


Reading Assignments

Students are required to study the course materials posted via MIS 491 Canvas course website. 


Topical Outline

Week Topics
1 & 2

What is Virtualization? 
Virtualization infrastructure and Types

  • Hardware virtualization
  • Operating System virtualization
  • Storage virtualization 
  • Network virtualization 
  • Server virtualization 
  • Software Application virtualization 
  • Data virtualization 
  • Desktop virtualization 

What is cloud computing? 

  • NIST Definition: NIST SP 800-145 
  • key characteristics 
  • architecture 
  • components 
  • application 
  • infrastructure 
3 & 4 Virtualization vs. Cloud Computing 
Cloud Providers
5 & 6 Cloud Economics 
Select cloud services 
Select cloud service providers  
7 Midterm Exam 
8 & 9 SaaS vs. Paas vs. IaaS  
Overview of Amazon Web Services; Architecting for the Cloud (AWS Best Practice) 
10, 11, 12 Getting Started with AWS 
Using AWS 
13

Diving into AWS Offerings; How AWS Pricing Works; Compare AWS Support Plans 
About cloud certification exams: 

  • AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner 
  • CompTIA Cloud Essentials 
14 Project 
15 Final exam

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